Feast of Saint Sebastian

A festival that captures the soul of Acireale

The Feast of Saint Sebastian is the most cherished celebration for the people of Acireale, a Baroque city in the province of Catania overlooking the Cyclops Riviera in Sicily. Saint Sebastian is the town's co-patron, venerated alongside the main patron saint, Saint Venera. Every year, around January 20th, the historic center transforms into a grand stage of faith, sound, and light, drawing thousands of devotees and visitors.

The origins of the cult

The city's devotion to the saint dates back to 1466, when a terrible plague struck Acireale and the population invoked the protection of Saint Sebastian, a Christian martyr who lived during the time of Emperor Diocletian. Since then, the bond between the community and its co-patron has remained unbroken, passed down through generations. The statuary group, featuring the wooden statue and reliquary arms crafted by Messina silversmiths, is carried in procession on an artistic 18th-century fercolo (processional float), an authentic masterpiece of sacred art.

The highlight: the unveiling and the procession

On the day of the feast, after numerous masses celebrated from the early hours of the morning, the svelata (unveiling) takes place at 11:00 AM in the crowded square in front of the Basilica: the saint's statue appears on the float amidst the festive ringing of bells and fireworks. The long procession then begins, accompanied by the traditional acclamation in the local dialect, “cu tuttu 'u cori: viva Sammastianu!”, leading the saint through the streets of the historic center until late at night, when devotees carry the statue back into the Basilica at a run.

Rites before and after

• The Seven Calls: on the eve of the feast, the traditional ringing of bells announces that the celebration is imminent.
• The Triduum and the pilgrimage of the relics through the city's parishes in the days leading up to the feast.
• The Octave: one week later, on January 27th, a final procession and a new appearance of the statue conclude the festivities.

What makes this festival unique

Beyond its religious dimension, the Feast of Saint Sebastian is an identity-defining event that blends liturgy, folklore, and the popular traditions of Eastern Sicily. The choreography of illuminations, brass bands, and pyrotechnic displays transforms the Baroque architecture of Acireale—one of the richest on the island—into a breathtaking setting. For those visiting the Etna area in winter, it is the perfect opportunity to experience the religiosity and warmth of a Sicilian community firsthand.